How Do I Get Started?

It is recommended that a funeral service apprenticeship be served before an individual makes a firm commitment to funeral service as a career. This is especially true for the embalmer apprentice before investing in a mortuary science program at the college level. Funeral service practitioners must have an Associate of Arts Degree so this must be taken into account as you plan your career. Apprenticeships are served over a one-year period, during which time you can determine if the career is the right choice for you. Apprenticeships are a unique opportunity: you are being paid to learn a trade.

What Should I Expect at an Interview?

Following are suggested areas of discussion:

• What is the funeral firm’s philosophy?
• What will be my job responsibilities? Get a description of the levels of work and whether or not you will have the opportunity to interface with families.
• What compensation and work hours can I expect?
• What is the dress code?
• What is the case volume for the funeral firm and how is it handled?
• If not the interviewer, then who will be in charge of my training?

What Type of Responsibilities Will I Have?

Each funeral home may have a different outline of apprenticeship duties. Duties may include, but not be limited to:

• removals from place of death
• assisting with preparation of remains
• observing funeral arrangements
• assisting with funeral services
• assisting with evening visitations
• assisting with operation of the crematory
• miscellaneous janitorial and building maintenance
• cleaning of vehicles

Some tasks may seem menial, but it is important to remember that we all began at the same point.

What is the Timeframe for Serving an Apprenticeship?

The one-year funeral service practitioner apprenticeship must be completed not more than two years before or after the date of the examination to obtain a license. The embalmer apprenticeship must be completed within a period of not more than four consecutive years and not more than two years before the date of the examination. In computing time an individual may exclude interruptions for active military duty during war or national emergency or time spent in formal funeral service education. The State Board may also grant other excusable interruptions.